England number eight Sarah Beckett handed three week suspension

England will miss the services of number eight Sarah Beckett for the next three games following a suspension.

Beckett became the first women's player whose yellow card was upgraded to a red using a bunker review system during the opening round of the Women's Six Nations game against Italy when she was sent-off in the 10th minute for a dangerous tackle Michela Sillari using a crocodile roll.

She faced an independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday and was the panel deemed the 25-year-old guilty of the charges.

"The player admitted that she had committed an act of foul play but contended that it had not been worthy of a red card," read a statement from the committee.

Beckett was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by 50% taking into account the mitigating factors.

She will miss England's next three Six Nations games against Wales, Scotland and Ireland but will be available for the final game against France to be played on 27th April.